For example, Connors had expected Hypnotize to be more competitive than he was when just seventh, 20 lengths from the winner, Mr Align, and Climbing High in the McGregor Grant Steeples on June 6.
Normally the 'chaser hasn't been "up" that early in the season and he looked unusually bright for him.
For his winning Great Northern performances, Hypnotize has looked lean and hungry.
"Yeah, I suppose he was a fraction brighter than usual that day, but I'd done my best to get him as fit as I could for it and I expected him to be more competitive.
"He does look harder now."
Hypnotize has had two hurdles races since the McGregor Grant and has been outpaced in both, leaving Connors with little to go on to gauge progress.
"He's very had to gauge," he says, "but I am very happy with him generally."
In his winning runs in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup, Hypnotize has carried 64kg, 70kg and 70kg and in the Great Northern 65kg, 68.5kg and 70.5kg.
This time he has 72kg.
That's 4kg more than the next in the handicap, Climbing High, and 7.5kg more than the Waikato Steeplechase winner, Mali Juraj.
That won't be easy, but you have to remember back to last year's Great Northern - there is little doubt he could have won with a touch more than the 70.5kg.
It's clear Raymond Connors would like the Pakuranga Hunt Cup run at the extreme distance and three times up the hill of the Great Northern.
"He really needs a stamina trip - the further the better for him."
There is a clause written into the Pakuranga Hunt Cup that the winner cannot be raised more than three rating points, however that would still be sufficient to perhaps get Hypnotize a further 1kg for the Great Northern should he win tomorrow.
The good weather is a blessing to Climbing High, who is best when he can use his natural speed
He is game as well as speedy and will give plenty.
Fair King hasn't had a steeplechase since finishing fourth in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and third in the Great Northern last year.
He has been getting fit in hurdle races and is the type to show something here.
Mali Juraj was stylish in winning at Te Rapa and has been set for the Great Northern, although a win here is not beyond him.
Graeme Sanders wasn't sure what to do when he saw that Te Toro Lass might not make the field for tomorrow's $50,000 ITM Interprovincial at New Plymouth.
Then he had a great idea - run the mare at the local meeting at Te Awamutu on Wednesday in case she was on the ballot at Taranaki.
The field was not drawn for the New Plymouth meeting until midday Wednesday and the scratching time for Te Awamutu was 7.30am, so there was no chance of holding off.
"I thought rather than gallop her for Saturday I'd run her, which meant just walking across the road," said Sanders after Te Toro Lass walked home in the opening event on Wednesday. "Then it was a matter if putting someone on her that couldn't hurt her for Saturday."
Sixteen-year-old Alex Forbes, with just one raceday ride behind him, was called up and the teenager did exactly as Sanders asked - put her on the speed and apply the pressure down the dummy straight (600m-400m).
"It wasn't a bad solution in the end - she walked across the road, had no more than a track gallop and took away $4375."
And Te Toro Lass made the field for tomorrow's $50,000 feature, something Sanders had been keen on as the mare is unbeaten in two starts on the track.
The outside barrier draw is not going to do Te Toro Lass many favours, but she is tough and in her best form.
Hard to beat will be another northerner, The Muffin Man, who looks under rated.
He's one from one at Taranaki and last start stretched the neck of the talented Baldovino.
Ourforeignminister, second to the classy No Excuse Maggie last start, and Toughasim are real chances in a lively race.
